Homecoming Reunion

Homecoming Reunion by Carolyne Aarsen Page A

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Authors: Carolyne Aarsen
from looking back to where Larissa sat with her friend Alanna. He resolutely turned his back on her. Coming to church today had been a mistake. He had to keep his personal life separate from his business.
    Which was hard enough to do in a town like Hartley Creek. But before he could take another step away from Larissa, his nana caught him by the arm.
    “There’s someone I’d like you to meet,” she said, pulling him back in the direction he was trying to escape. “Stay here and I’ll be right back.”
    So he did, but his change in position put him face-to-face with Larissa who was walking out of her pew.
    “Good morning, Garret,” she said, her voice quiet, even. Like it always was around him. “Good to see you here.”
    Her last comment came out with a hint of a question embedded in it. As if she was wondering why he was here this morning.
    “Sheila had things under control at the inn,” he said, feeling as if he had to justify his presence. “So I figured I could leave.”
    “That’s why we hired her,” Larissa said. “So I’m glad that you could come this morning too.”
    “Nana Beck wanted me to come,” he said.
    Her expression shifted a bit at that. “I see.”
    Only two words but he sensed disappointment in them.
    He remembered how she had always asked him to come to church with her when they were dating. How he didn’t want to because that would mean seeing Jack Weir. And it would mean coming into contact with a God he had always believed had taken his mother. He didn’t trust God. At least he hadn’t then. However, of late a new emptiness had entered his soul. An emptiness that he sensed could only be filled in God’s presence. So he had come to church, hoping it was real.
    “But it was a good service,” he added. This was true enough. He had enjoyed parts of it. “It was good to feel part of...part of the community.”
    “It’s a good community,” she said quietly.
    “Speaking of, I set up a meeting with Pete Boonstra tomorrow, first thing in the morning at the inn,” he said. “I’m trying to get him to consider the inn for his real estate shindig.”
    Alanna frowned, poking Larissa in the back. “How come he gets to talk business in church, but I don’t?”
    “Just leave it be,” Larissa said to her friend. Then she turned back to Garret. “What time?”
    “I can call you later,” he said, feeling suddenly foolish after Alanna’s comment. He felt like a man playing a game without knowing the rules.
    “No. Just tell me now,” she said.
    “He wants to meet early. Before he opens up his business, so he’ll be there at seven-thirty.”
    “I’ll be there,” she said. “Anything else I need to know?”
    He was about to say more when a woman came up behind Larissa and caught her by the shoulder to get her attention. “Hey, sweetie,” the woman said. “Good to see you. How’s things at the inn with your new boss?”
    Larissa turned to the woman. “Fine, Daphne,” she said, By the way—”
    “I hear Garret is the new boss,” Daphne said not letting Larissa finish. “How’s that working out for you? Not tempted to rekindle the old romance? I know it took you a while to get over him.”
    A flush crept up Larissa’s neck but before she could correct her, Daphne turned to Garret. “Hey, Carter. Like the suit. Never seen that on you before. Emma talk you into it?”
    “Daphne, this is Garret,” Larissa said, lifting a hand in his direction.
    Daphne frowned, then she clapped her hand over her mouth, but it was too late. The words had flown out and could not be retrieved.
    “Oh. My. I am...I can’t believe...I’m so sorry.” Daphne lowered her hand, her cheeks flaming as her gaze flicked from Larissa to Garret, then locked on Larissa. “Honest mistake, right? I mean, they look so much alike and Garret never went to church...” Daphne shook her head, looking down. “And I’m stopping now.”
    “You might want to join On and On Anon,” Alanna joked. “The

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